Starter having a seal member near bearing for holding output shaft

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a starter, which prevents foreign substances from entering into the bearing surface of a bearing and maintains bearing performance for a long time.
According to the present invention, a starter has a bearing for holding an output shaft in proximity to a reduction device and a seal member in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the output shaft in proximity to the front side of the bearing, that is, to the side opposite the motor.
The seal member prevents the entering of foreign substances into the bearing surface of the bearing and also limits the flowing out of lubricant held in the bearing.
As a result, the bearing maintains high performance for a long time and lowering of starter performance is minimized.
A housing of the starter has a holding part for holding the bearing.
A groove is formed annularly or in the ring-shape in the inner peripheral surface of the holding part.
The bearing has a plurality of through holes, which pass in the radial direction between the inner surface and the outer surface.
The through holes are communicated with the groove.
The groove is filled with lubricant in advance.
As the lubricant is provided from the groove to the bearing surface of the bearing by the through holes, shortage of lubricant in the bearing is prevented.
As a result, even if the quantity of lubricant held at the bearing is small, the bearing maintains high performance for a long time and lowering of starter performance is minimized.
The bearing also has a plurality of recesses on the inner surface thereof.
As the lubricant is held in the recesses of the bearing in advance, shortage of lubricant in the bearing is inhibited.
Moreover, the housing of the starter has channels to lead the lubricant which flows out of the reduction device to the bearing.
When the bearing runs short of lubricant, the recesses of the bearing are refilled with the lubricant which is led to the bearing by the channels.
Thus, lubricant is used efficiently